How To Use MLBTR
An explanation of the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors:
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Phillies Sign Cliff Lee
The wait is over. In a surprising development that leaves two top American League teams empty-handed, Cliff Lee has signed a five-year, $120MM deal with the Phillies, the team announced today. The contract includes a $27.5MM vesting option for 2016 with a $12.5MM buyout, plus partial no-trade clause.
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan first reported the deal, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported on the terms and vesting option (on Twitter). Agent Darek Braunecker represents the left-hander.
After months of rumors that suggested he'd sign with the highest bidder, Lee turned down tens of millions in guaranteed money to sign in Philadelphia. Crasnick hears the Yankees offered a deal that guaranteed Lee $132MM over six years, plus a $16MM player option for a seventh year (Twitter link). At $148MM guaranteed, that was the highest bid. The Rangers offered $138MM over six years, and their proposal included a vesting option that could have brought the value of the deal to $161MM, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (Twitter links). That offer included huge deferrals, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
Almost exactly a year after they traded Lee for Roy Halladay, the lefty is back in Philadelphia. Like Halladay, who signed an extension that delayed his free agency, Lee opted to play for the Phillies instead of looking for the biggest contract possible. The Phils could have a historically good rotation if Lee, Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels stay healthy.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. proves once again that he has a knack for acquiring ace pitchers. He has traded for Lee, Halladay and Oswalt and signed Lee since becoming the team's GM after its 2008 World Series title.
Another Philadelphia pitcher, Joe Blanton, is on the trading block, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Amaro could deal Blanton, who earns $17MM through 2012, and/or left fielder Raul Ibanez, who will earn $11.5MM in 2011 before his contract expires.
The Rangers get the Phillies' 33rd overall pick, plus a supplementary first round selection in next year's draft, but they lose out on their primary offseason target. Though the Rangers have been linked to Zack Greinke and other possible trade targets, this is undeniably a blow for the team, which is in the midst of its first offseason under new ownership.
But it's the Yankees who might be the biggest losers of all. They miss out on a pitcher they coveted just days after the division rival Red Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Now that Crawford and Jayson Werth have signed, the Yankees will try to convince Andy Pettitte to return and determine whether to make a run at Greinke.
Their projected rotation still includes Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre, so it's fair to expect GM Brian Cashman to acquire an arm. The next best free agent starter available is Carl Pavano, but it would be a shock to see the Yankees express interest in him.
It appeared for most of the offseason that the Yankees or Rangers would sign Lee, but rumblings of a mystery team persisted until it became apparent that the Phillies were also bidding on the left-hander. The Red Sox, Nationals and Angels were among the other teams to show some interest in Lee.
Phillies fans are surely thrilled to have Lee back in Philadelphia, but the MLB Players Association won't necessarily like his decision to leave so much money on the table instead of setting a precedent for other pitchers. However, this offseason has seen two free agents (Werth and Crawford) sign nine-figure contracts, so players are doing well in general.
Lee becomes the sixth pitcher in baseball history to sign for more than $100MM. He signed for more than Kevin Brown, the first pitcher to sign a $100MM deal, but less than C.C. Sabathia, Johan Santana, Barry Zito or Mike Hampton. Bargain or not, Lee's new contract is the 23rd most lucrative in baseball history.
D’Backs To Sign Henry Blanco
The D'Backs have agreed to sign Henry Blanco for $1MM, according to Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona (Twitter link). The deal is pending a physical and should be official by tomorrow. Elite Sports group represents the catcher.
It's the second time Kevin Towers has signed Blanco; the GM signed him to play for the Padres before the 2009 season. The 39-year-old hit .215/.271/.300 in 144 plate apperances for the Mets last year. The D'Backs aren't bringing him in for offensive thump, though. Blanco should be a steady backup for Miguel Montero and he can still throw out opponents on the basepaths. He has caught 43% of would-be base stealers in his 13-year MLB career.
Astros Sign Dopirak, Gervacio
The Astros announced that they have signed first baseman Brian Dopirak and right-hander Sammy Gervacio. Both players receive minor league contracts and invitations to big league Spring Training.
Dopirak is a former second round pick who has spent nine seasons sluggling his way through the minor leagues. Baseball America ranked him 21st among all MLB prospects before the 2005 season, but the first baseman has yet to appear in the majors. He has 156 minor league homers to his name and hit .274/.309/.454 for the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in 2010. He'll provide the Astros with insurance in case another former Blue Jays farmhand, Brett Wallace, needs time to develop.
The Astros non-tendered Gervacio earlier in the month. He encountered shoulder problems and didn't pitch much in 2010, but he showed promise in a 21 inning cameo in 2009, when he struck out 25 batters.
Olney On Pettitte, Rendon, Blanton, Hoffman
C.C. Sabathia can opt out of his contract with the Yankees after next season, but ESPN.com’s Buster Olney points out that the team could be proactive and ensure that the lefty stays in the Bronx. They could offer to add a couple years to his current deal in exchange for Sabathia’s right to opt out. Here’s the latest on another Yankee lefty and a few more rumblings from around the league:
- For the first time this winter, a Yankees person spoke to Olney optimistically about the chances that Andy Pettitte returns in 2011.
- One talent evaluator says he might take Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon ahead of Bryce Harper if both players were in the same draft. The Pirates select first overall next year and may be tempted by Rendon, the consensus top player available.
- Multiple GMs confirmed to Olney that the Phillies will have to eat some of Joe Blanton’s salary if they decide to move him. The right-hander will earn $17MM over the course of the next two seasons.
- Trevor Hoffman is still telling teams that he wants to be a closer. The all-time saves leader is coming off of a rough season, but he pitched better in the second half.
Rosenthal On Cubs, Greinke, Beltre, Pavano
The Mariners could presumably ask for a king’s ransom in exchange for Felix Hernandez, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports thinks Seattle should build around the reigning Cy Young Award winner, not trade him. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Cubs are still willing to trade Kosuke Fukudome, but they’d likely have to cover some of the $13.5MM the outfielder is set to earn in 2011.
- Were it not for his salary, the Reds might be a more serious suitor for Zack Greinke. However, a rival executive says Cincinnati is “tapped out,” payroll-wise.
- The Nationals’ pursuit of Greinke has slowed and one source says it’s because of the team’s reluctance to include Jordan Zimmermann in a potential deal.
- Adrian Beltre remains a “focus” for the Angels.
- The Rangers, however, are more inclined to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero and add a first baseman than pursue Beltre, according to Rosenthal’s sources.
- Don’t expect Texas to spend on a top free agent reliever, even if Neftali Feliz moves to the rotation.
- Kerry Wood wants a two-year, $12MM deal, Rosenthal reports.
- Another former Yankee, Carl Pavano, is searching for considerably more. He wants a three-year deal worth $10-11MM per season, one GM says. The Rangers are not pursuing Pavano right now.
Multiyear Free Agent Contracts On The Rise
Multiyear free agent contracts are on the rise again. If the first six weeks of the 2010-11 offseason are any indication, teams are offering more long-term deals than they were a year ago.
Over the course of the entire 2009-10 offseason, 27 free agents signed multiyear contracts. A month and a half into a new offseason, owners have already surpassed that figure and agreed to 28 multiyear deals, as MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker shows.
After two offseasons of relatively restrained spending, baseball owners are pursuing top free agents with vigor. Already, Jayson Werth, Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee have agreed to nine-figure contracts (though Lee declined to take the biggest offer available to him).
It’s the first time since 2006-07 and just the third time in baseball history that three free agents have signed deals worth over $100MM in the same winter. Alfonso Soriano, Barry Zito and Carlos Lee all signed for $100MM-plus in a 2006-07 offseason that stands out as one of the more player-friendly winters in recent history. Six years before that, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and Mike Hampton signed nine-figure deals within three weeks of one another.
Barring another coup by Scott Boras, who represents free agents such as Adrian Beltre, Rafael Soriano and Magglio Ordonez, Lee's contract will be the last $100MM deal of the current offseason. However, the winter promises to bring a number of more modest multiyear deals. Carl Pavano, Adam LaRoche, Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, Grant Balfour and others could sign for two or more years before the offseason ends.
Please note that extensions like the ones Troy Tulowitzki and Jay Bruce signed are not counted as free agent signings, since they weren’t completed on the open market. Multiyear deals signed by international free agents like Aroldis Chapman and Noel Arguelles are not counted either.
Padres Notes: Eckstein, Hairston Jr.
So far this offseason, the Padres have swapped Adrian Gonzalez for prospects, signed Aaron Harang, agreed to a deal with Dustin Moseley, traded for Cameron Maybin and discussed a trade that would send Jason Bartlett to San Diego. Jed Hoyer's second offseason as GM has been a busy one and more moves are on the horizon for the Friars. Here's the latest:
- Jerry Hairston Jr. told Dan Hayes of the North County Times that four to five teams are pursuing him and the chase is "heating up" (Twitter link). Hayes reports that the Padres still have interest in Hairston and we know the Yankees would consider bringing the utilityman back to the Bronx.
- David Eckstein told MLB.com's Corey Brock that he has not been in contact with the Padres (Twitter link). Brock suggests it's an "extreme long shot" that Eckstein returns.
Poll: Top Remaining Free Agent
The top free agents – Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth – have signed their nine-figure deals, but many players are still available. The question is, which of the remaining unsigned players is the top free agent available? (Players listed alphabetically).
Who is the top remaining free agent?
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Adrian Beltre 59% (16,239)
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Rafael Soriano 16% (4,461)
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Magglio Ordonez 7% (1,861)
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Vladimir Guerrero 6% (1,551)
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Andy Pettitte 5% (1,406)
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Carl Pavano 5% (1,251)
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Jim Thome 2% (447)
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Other 1% (303)
Total votes: 27,519
Odds & Ends: Counsell, Ibanez, Johnson, Sheffield
Exactly one year ago, the Angels signed Hideki Matsui. Today, the slugger finalized his one-year agreement with the A's. Here are today's links…
- The Brewers are having ongoing discussions with the representatives for Craig Counsell, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter).
- If you've heard about agent Darek Braunecker, but don't know much about him, you're not alone. David Waldstein of the New York Times introduces us to Cliff Lee's agent.
- The Phillies do not intend to trade Raul Ibanez, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Joe Blanton, on the other hand, is available.
- Rosenthal also notes that the Rangers and Rockies have not discussed Michael Young since the Winter Meetings (Twitter link).
- The Orioles are still talking to the representatives for Adam LaRoche, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Indians manager Manny Acta is watching Bartolo Colon's start in the Dominican Republic tonight, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (on Twitter).
- Kerry Wood told Fred Mitchell and David Kaplan of the Chicago Tribune that he could see himself playing for the Cubs, but probably not for the White Sox.
- In case you were wondering, the Marlins don't intend to trade Josh Johnson, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter).
- Gary Sheffield told Mike Ferrin and Tom Gordon of MLB Network Radio that he has discussed a potential deal with the Rays. However, manager Joe Maddon told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that the Rays have limited interest in Sheffield, though they wanted to get to know him better.